Poll: Lampard accepts his international days could end in Brazil

Frank Lampard may not know where his club future lies but accepts this summer’s World Cup is likely to bring the curtain down on his England career.

After 13 years, 11 major trophies and 211 goals, the 35-year-old midfielder confirmed in a statement on Monday evening his exit from Chelsea.

Lampard leaves as one of the Blues’ all-time greats and was clearly emotional when speaking about his time in west London at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami last night, where he will captain England against Ecuador this evening.

“It was strange to hear the statement down the phone, talking to people back home yesterday,” he said.

“It is quite strange when it is said out loud, I have to say, because it has been such a huge part of my life.

“That is kind of tough to an extent, but I am a big boy and I understand things move on.”

While keen to reflect on his Chelsea career, Lampard gave little indication as to what the future might hold.

A move away from top-level European football has been mooted, with New York City FC, fresh from signing David Villa, the apparent frontrunners.

Given Ecuadorian journalists called him Frankie throughout the pre-match press conference, one reporter suggested perhaps it was not a case of ‘Frankie Goes to Hollywood’ but New York instead.

“You’re very quick,” Lampard said with a laugh. “I’ve seen the headline before.

“They were very familiar with me in there. Frankie sounds nice but I can’t comment on the other end of that.”

However, Lampard was less coy when it came to his international future ahead of captaining England for the seventh occasion.

Just two weeks away from his 36th birthday and with 103 caps under his belt, it was put to him that this summer could be his international swansong.

“It looks that way,” Lampard said. “It is hard. I find it hard to get the words out to say that it is because I am very proud to play for my country and I’ve loved every minute.

“Let’s hope we have a big, successful World Cup and then I will comment on that afterwards.”

That focus on the World Cup has taken England to Miami, where the squad is this week acclimatising to the hot and humid conditions expected in Brazil and, in particular, their Group D opener against Italy in Manaus on June 14.

“It is a step up again,” Lampard said. “(In) Portugal we tried to recreate it even though the weather wasn’t quite what we thought it would be. We wore a lot of clothes, trained under a bit of pressure and the same back in England.

“It’s a step up now. This was the first time we really opened up our lungs with the humidity.

“You feel it, there’s no mistaking it. You do feel the difference, but we have to get used to that as quick as we can.”